Forever (h.s.)

Chapter 21

CHAPTER 21: The Word Cuddle

An hour later, we were done with dinner and Harry was sifting through Netflix for a suitable movie. I stood

at the sink, washing dishes.

"How about The Avengers?" he suggested, glancing at me over the back of the couch.

"Nah," I replied. "Too much action." There was a few minutes of silence where all I could hear was the gentle click if the remote.

"I am Legend?"

"Not enough romance." Harry chuckled.

"Forrest Gump?"

"Too sad."

"Happy Feet?"

"No real people." There was another silence, then I had an idea. What movie would make me think of Harry every time? What movie would I watch over and over when he was gone and I missed him? What was our movie? Easy. "How about Love Actually?" I suggested.

"Yes!" Harry pumped his fist in excitement. I didn't think the sentiment was quite the same in his head than in mine, but I knew he loved that movie almost as much as he loved me. "Come sit, love."

"Hold on, I'm just finishing up theses dishes, " I replied. "Start it without me." I heard Harry get up and put the disc in, then the main menu song start to play. I thought it was taking him an awfully long time to hit the button, so I said,

"Harry, hurry up, the song's going to start over."

"Come sit with me," he demanded, refusing to hit the play button.

"Harry, please, you know that drives me crazy!" I insisted. "I have like two dishes left." He still didn't hit it, and seconds before I knew the song was going to start over I dashed to the couch and quickly hit play. Letting out a sigh of relief, I retuned to the sink. "That was mean," I whimpered. Harry chuckled again.

A few minutes passed as I continued to attempt to scrape tomato sauce off a plate. I laughed inwardly, remembering the "tomahto" episode.

"Lovely," Harry said.

​ "Hmm?" I answered, glancing at him. He was draped over the back of the couch, watching me with sad eyes.

"Come cuddle me." I felt my stomach do a somersault at the very word from his lips. Plus he looked so pitiful on the couch alone, I decided the plate could wait. I wiped my hands on the towel and watched as his lips curved up in a sleepy smile. "Yay."

I sat down beside Harry and pulled the blanket over both of us. He lay on his side, bringing me with him, and he entwined his legs with mine. Harry then slipped his arm over my waist and pulled me into his body, and I rested my arm over his.

"Much better," he murmured, his voice warm right in my hair behind me. I closed my eyes, breathing in home: the scent of the pillow that I knew by heart and the warm sweet smell of Harry. It set my heart on fire, that dull little butterfly in the bottom of my stomach that I felt every time Harry was around.

We lay like that until the movie was over, the credits streaming down the screen to an obnoxious ensemble piece that reminded me of the grueling days when I used to play violin. It took a few minutes for me to realize Harry was either unaware that the movie was over, or asleep.

"Harry?" I murmured, rolling over in his arms. He shifted and nestled his face right into my neck, his curls tickling my chin. It was so cozy and happy there I almost didn't want to move. "Haz, angel, wake up." He

inhaled deeply and slowly opened his eyes, revealing the bright green flickering in the candlelight.

"Did I fall asleep, love?" he asked groggily, his eyelashes fluttering against my cheek. I giggled sleepily and nodded, playing with his curls. Harry hummed happily, leaning his head into my hand, a stupid smile on his face. I kissed his cheek and rolled off the couch.